Crayonbox Learning

Happy Valentine's Day

2012-02-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

Today, my friend called me and asked me if he could come over. He was already
in my driveway by time the call ended. I went outside, and here was my dear friend
and the man that works for him. They had brought me a load of hay for my goats. I
was so shocked, and very touched by this gesture. Here in Arkansas, we've had a
bit of a hay shortage. The crops last year only yielded about 50%, and whatever
surplus farmers had, was hauled to Texas and Oklahoma because they have been in
drought conditions. My goats and I have made due with supplements, and pasture.
I figured that with spring around the corner that it would be alright. My friend, who
had talked to me yesterday about hay knew of the situation. My does will start
kidding in about 3 weeks!

The gesture of kindness that my friend extended meant more to me than if I had received
a box full of Godiva chocolate and some bling!! I am very lucky to have a friend like
him.

I share this story with you because Valentine's Day is traditionally promoted as a
holiday around couples and relationships. A gesture, no matter how small, can make
the difference in a person's life. Something as simple as a smile on your face can change
the way others around you feel.

On this Valentine's Day, I want to tell all of you how I appreciate you. Every day I get
up and go to work (down the hall, still in my pj's) doing something that I love. (Love, see
it ties in.. :) It cannot get any better than that.

I hope that you have a wonderful day today.

Peace, love, and a box of chocolate!

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T11:45:00.000-08:00

What goals have you set for yourself for the new year?

I am so looking forward to 2012.   Though this year has been a very good year for me both professionally and personally. One of my most important goals is to BLOG more! I began this Blog to share my thoughts and ideas that don't necessarily get posted on my website or Facebook. Technically 2012 is the Year of the Dragon, but I think I am going to call it the year of my Blog! :)

One of my second goals is to begin the Early Learning Science series on my list server. I created a new one, for those who would like to join. (Earlylearningscience-subscribe@yahoogroups.com). I think that the world is a pretty cool place. Children (and adults) can learn a lot from what is right outside their door. I will be sharing my own experiences, printable learning resources, and photographs! I will explain more about my desire to focus on science in another post! Stay tuned for that!

Another goal is to move forward and have my books published. I can't wait. I found a great POD publisher to use that will keep costs down for printing, and I maintain creative control. Yay!

My Mom and I went to a Chinese restaurant yesterday before going shopping (Yum!). I received a fortune cookie that said... "What you want most is to make a home, and success is in your sights!" I know, right! I like those kind of fortunes!

I have so many plans for this new year, it really is hard to list it all!   My custom literacy bags have become a hit! I am offering them through my Etsy store!   I have a new CD coming out in January, the largest one that I have ever produced.

As always, I love to hear from my customers and fans. To keep up to date on what I am working on, follow my blog and check out my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/crayonboxlearning.   I started a new FB page geared more toward my art studio and how I do what I do. (More behind the scenes!) http://www.facebook.com/daniellesart    See you there!

The next time I will be writing it will be 2012.   A heartfelt THANK YOU to all of my friends, fans, customers, and subscribers.   Have a SAFE and happy New Year!

Merry Christmas from Crayonbox Learning!

2011-12-20T09:28:00.000-08:00

From my home to yours, Merry Christmas! The new year will bring forth some exciting new changes, and new materials from Crayonbox Learning! I can hardly wait for the new year to be here so that I can share it all with you! May your holiday be filled with warmth, friendship, and a lot of laughter!

Halloween....

2011-10-30T21:53:00.000-07:00

Hi there!

It's been a busy couple of weeks! Time seems to fly by. I've been at the drawing board creating new themes and printables. I am hoping to have some time freed up in November and December to be able to post materials to share. The past week or two, I've been working on streamlining the Crayonbox Learning website, Blog, Etsy page, and Pinterest!

I posted a couple Halloween coloring pages on my Facebook page tonight. Here are the links in case you would like to download them:

Frank Coloring Sheet
Ghost Coloring Sheet

Be sure to wear your reflective tape on dark clothing, and carry a flashlight when taking kids trick or treating. A lot of communities are now having parties so that children don't have to go to stranger's homes. I remember when I was a kid (in the 70-80's) there were little tattoo's being passed around that had LCD on them. My Mom and Dad would only let us go to the houses that we knew, around our block and then they checked everything over. It was a long time ago, but I remember even then there were a few bad apples out there that had to try and ruin it for the kids.

I love Halloween, but where I live is pretty rural and we don't get trick or treaters to come. So instead, I buy a bag of candy, watch Netflix and stay up late. LOL Don't get me started on candy corn!

I hope everyone has a great week! I can't believe it's almost November!

Magic Whisper...

2011-10-09T10:27:00.000-07:00

On Thursday evening, we were blessed with a new arrival on the farm. I'd like to introduce you to Foxvangen's Magic Whisper. She is named after her mother, Magic. Magic is a special horse, she came to the farm at 7 1/2 months of age, and defied a lot of odds to live. To read Magic's story click HERE.

Whisper was born around 10:00 on Thursday night. Once she was able to get her legs under her, she was raring to go. She is a big, strong baby. My Mom had anticipated a boy, and was pleasantly surprised when it was a big baby girl. :) We're very happy with her. My Dad wanted to name her something with Magic in the name so my Mom named her Magic Whisper. :) Whisper is also a curly horse, which means that her hair is hypoallergenic. Curly horses are great for people with allergies, because there aren't the reactions.

Fall is in the Air...

2011-10-03T12:23:00.000-07:00

This morning I woke up to a cold house, and a dusting of frost on the ground outside. Fall is definitely in the air. The changing leaves, animals putting on their winter coats as they gear up for the colder months ahead. Days like this are wonderful to take kids outside and explore the things that are the same, and the things that are changing with the weather/seasons.

Nature walks are particularly fun because no two are the same. You never know what you'll find when you start out on your adventure. Gear up each child with a large baggie to bring back leaves, rocks, or other interesting things from your nature walk. Making a collage from the items that were brought back is a great afternoon activity.

I've added a writing practice sheet with a small scarecrow on it for you. Click HERE to download.

My first post as a contributing writer for Think Crafts can be found HERE. I submitted my original Apple Magnet Game. It was published on 9/14. I will be periodically publishing different projects that you can print and create for the Think Crafts Blog as their new "Crafts for Learning Contributor." Send me a note and let me know what you think!

Have a great day!

Back in the Saddle...

2011-10-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

It feels pretty good to get back into the saddle (creating) again after what seems to be a long hiatus. This past summer was intended to be a time when I played catch up, instead I found myself working for an educational publisher, taking on custom assignments, and applying for a writing assignment on the Think Create blog. (Which I won the contest for, and am now a contributing writer for Think Create, owned by Create for Less).

I spent a lot of time this summer looking over the countless Blogs that have popped up in the last few months. I think everybody now has a Blog and is offering something for sale, or used as a teaser to go to a store. Some of the Blogs I have found were a bit confusing to follow with all of the add ons. I hate to say this, but I still prefer the look of neat and tidy over spread out and packed. :) Technology is wonderful though. Just imagine what teachers in Laura Ingall's Wilder's generation would think about being able to access a new world with a few clicks of a mouse? I wonder what she'd think about it?

When I made the commitment to create this Blog, I sat down and thought about what I would want to accomplish. I didn't want to just have another project that went unfinished. I also didn't want to have a cutesy page that had a lot of really cute "STUFF" but limited direction or focus. Anyone can put together some printables, but how many take the time to adjust their use for children that perhaps need a little extra guidance?    How many Blogs do you see considering that not all kids learn the same? These are just 2 of the subject areas that I considered.

I would like to make a little shout out to the wonderful gal that created the Blog design that you see here. Her name is Dani, from Blog Designs by Dani.  If you are intereted in starting your own Blog, she is awesome to work with. I have to say that out of all of the years I have designed my own sites, and hired out various tasks, this was by far one of the best experiences that I've had. Dani is detail oriented, and is willing to try something that she hasn't done before. I drew the artwork for the site (School house w/ tree, pencil, apple, and bus). It was important to me that my artwork was used in some way because I am not a fan of having sites (or printables) look like carbon copies! :) She took my artwork and blended it into the embellishments purchased from Just So Scrappy! The finished product is unique, original, and something that we both can be proud of! :))  You know how I love to be original! :)   Thank you Dani for the love and care you put into my Blog. It's just what I wanted, and I hope that you know your work is appreciated!!

This Blog will be added onto often.   If you have a Blog of your own, be sure to let me know. I'd love to take a peek. I'd love if it you'd follow my Blog as well.

Testing 1-2-3...

2011-09-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to my new Blog!